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1/16th radio-controlled scale model of Russian CHTZ T-800 dozer

That is awesome would you happen to know where I could buy a rc tractor for my son he would get a kick out of playing with something like that I admire your creativity I don't think I could do something like that

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Thanks for your interest Jakebrake. I don't know of any off the shelf RC model dozers that are not simply plastic toys with little electric motors like those in a model boat and wouldn't last five minutes. There are a couple of websites around devoted to making them on a hobby basis. Most though not all seem to be those Cat Bruder models with small electric motors rero-fitted using parts from expensive hobby suppliers. The models I am making are in a differentiated by the fact that they are built using industrial components, not hobby shop lines. So to summarize my builds are really industrial builds. Anything I bought from hobby shops quickly failed, hence I'm using industrial components or I make my own which is way more rewarding. Look at my crawler tracks as an example. Half and half.

You can do that too. Why not consider building one with your Son together instead of buying one at Walmart. I don't know how old he is but that doesn't matter if he's using hand tools. You could draw up the plans together, and teach him skills such as scaling drawings from manufacturers photos and drawings, designing the basic model, creating the plans to send off to a laser cutter and get a shop to TIG the thing together if you don't weld and then start building. There's an awful lot of marking out, drilling and filing and hand work involved in these large models. You can teach him to use hand or 12V hand held drills, the art of hand filing and all the other hand skills he needs. And then he can learn the art of setting up radio control to run it it which case he'll learn about basic electricity. It would be a good project for you and your son to do together and he can learn hand-tool skills and tech drawing then he can make anything he likes.

If that's all too big to start off, you could get a large Tonka metal dozer from Walmart which puts you half way there and fit some motors and controllers and a drive arrangement and install radio control. The bigger the better since it's easier to fit components inside the thing. Again, you'll be doing plenty of hand metal work so you can teach you Son those skills and build it together. Of course that's gonna be a toy, not a scale model. I'll be at BOTW and have a build photo album with me so ask around for me and I'll be happy to show you.

Thanks for your interest Jakebrake. I don't know of any off the shelf RC model dozers that are not simply plastic toys with little electric motors like those in a model boat and wouldn't last five minutes. There are a couple of websites around devoted to making them on a hobby basis. Most though not all seem to be those Cat Bruder models with small electric motors rero-fitted using parts from expensive hobby suppliers. The models I am making are in a differentiated by the fact that they are built using industrial components, not hobby shop lines. So to summarize my builds are really industrial builds. Anything I bought from hobby shops quickly failed, hence I'm using industrial components or I make my own which is way more rewarding. Look at my crawler tracks as an example. Half and half.

You can do that too. Why not consider building one with your Son together instead of buying one at Walmart. I don't know how old he is but that doesn't matter if he's using hand tools. You could draw up the plans together, and teach him skills such as scaling drawings from manufacturers photos and drawings, designing the basic model, creating the plans to send off to a laser cutter and get a shop to TIG the thing together if you don't weld and then start building. There's an awful lot of marking out, drilling and filing and hand work involved in these large models. You can teach him to use hand or 12V hand held drills, the art of hand filing and all the other hand skills he needs. And then he can learn the art of setting up radio control to run it it which case he'll learn about basic electricity. It would be a good project for you and your son to do together and he can learn hand-tool skills and tech drawing then he can make anything he likes.

If that's all too big to start off, you could get a large Tonka metal dozer from Walmart which puts you half way there and fit some motors and controllers and a drive arrangement and install radio control. The bigger the better since it's easier to fit components inside the thing. Again, you'll be doing plenty of hand metal work so you can teach you Son those skills and build it together. Of course that's gonna be a toy, not a scale model. I'll be at BOTW and have a build photo album with me so ask around for me and I'll be happy to show you.

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Thanks for the advice I will defiantly have to look into something along those lines he's 4.5 years old and loves equipment I was hoping to make it to the tractor show on the coast next weekend since it's only 2 hrs from me but I'm going to be in Japan and Hawaii cooking for a bunch of troops for a week hopefully next year I can make the show

Thanks for the advice I will defiantly have to look into something along those lines he's 4.5 years old and loves equipment I was hoping to make it to the tractor show on the coast next weekend since it's only 2 hrs from me but I'm going to be in Japan and Hawaii cooking for a bunch of troops for a week hopefully next year I can make the show

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It's always a great show. We just got squared away today so I can now go. I am leaving probably Tuesday. The thing about this years show is that it is also the ACMOCs national show. There will be more old iron than ever and also a lot of other stuff including tanks, other military, trains, WW2 warbirds, and many one off machines. We also have a memorial tribute and flyover at noon each day. Bring the troops and participate. If you can pull that off I'll get you free admission.

It's always a great show. We just got squared away today so I can now go. I am leaving probably Tuesday. The thing about this years show is that it is also the ACMOCs national show. There will be more old iron than ever and also a lot of other stuff including tanks, other military, trains, WW2 warbirds, and many one off machines. We also have a memorial tribute and flyover at noon each day. Bring the troops and participate. If you can pull that off I'll get you free admission.

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Man that sounds like an awesome show this year wish I could make it I'm going to have to shoot for next year we have had this trip in the works since October it's going to be a fun trip thank you for the offer I appreciate it I will have to see if my brother and some of his wounded warrior buddies would like to go

Well after a few months at the historic tractor shows, mostly at Best of The West which was indeed was a great show, I've got busy on the 1/16th D575A-2 again. Here's a couple of progress pics. As can be seen, the frame is welded, (yes that's my welding and I'm proud of it), the drive system has been fitted, tested and removed and I'm currently working on the track frames, equalizer bar and belly pans for the tub. You can see by the design of the 1:1 frame from the parts book is actually a welded tub hull, like the Russian T-800, as opposed to the standard crawler tractor frame.

Hi Phil, Your work is amazing and top notch. It was good to see you again at BOTW. Thanks for all the hard work you put in helping to set up the show. I got there to late to be of any meaningful help. Everyone said you came onboard early and did more than any one persons share. Also thanks for updating us on this model. I look forward to see it in action.
Roger